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Santa Monica in Los Angeles

Things to Do in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

A popular resort town known for its beaches and hospitality. The area features the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

A popular resort town known for its beaches and hospitality. The area features the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

  • Museum of FlyingMuseum of FlyingScience Museum
  • Milo & OliveMilo & OliveItalian
  • BeadahsBeadahsCraft Workshop
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By TripSapien · Updated September 3, 2026

Top things to do in Santa Monica

  • Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Museum of Flying

    4.5 · 531
    Science Museum

    Museum exploring Southern California's aviation history through historic aircraft & artifacts.

    Mon–Wed
    Closed
    Thu–Fri
    10 AM – 4 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 4 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 4 PM
  • Beadahs in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Beadahs

    Craft Workshop
    Mon–Tue
    Closed
    Wed–Fri
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Sat
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Sun
    11 AM – 6 PM
  • Tehran Market in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Tehran Market

    4.6 · 543
    Market

    Stalwart grocer specializing in Persian & Middle Eastern goods, including pastries, cheese & bread.

    Map
  • Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Bergamot Station Arts Center

    4.5 · 520
    Art Gallery

    Diverse space featuring several art galleries with rotating exhibits, plus spaces for rent.

    Mon
    Closed
    Tue–Fri
    10 AM – 6 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 6 PM
    Sun
    Closed
  • Aero Theater in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Aero Theater

    4.6 · 583
    Theater

    Independent movie theater with a throwback feel features vintage Hollywood & foreign films.

  • Paper Source in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Paper Source

    Craft Workshop

    Chain for decorative paper, crafting supplies & quirky gifts, plus custom stationery.

    Mon–Tue
    10 AM – 7 PM
    Wed–Fri
    10 AM – 8 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 7 PM
    Sun
    11 AM – 6 PM

Where to eat & drink in Santa Monica

  • Milo & Olive in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Milo & Olive

    4.4 · 1.7k
    Italian· $30–40

    The name is as cute as a button, but the wood-fired pizzas turned out of this kitchen are serious business.

    Mon–Thu
    7 AM – 9 PM
    Fri
    7 AM – 10 PM
    Sat
    7 AM – 10 PM
    Sun
    7 AM – 9 PM
  • Lokl Haus in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Lokl Haus

    4.8 · 230
    Coffee Shop· $10–20
    Mon
    Closed
    Tue–Fri
    7:30 AM – 3 PM
    Sat
    8 AM – 3 PM
    Sun
    8:30 AM – 3 PM
    Map
  • 10 Speed Coffee in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    10 Speed Coffee

    4.3 · 286
    Coffee Shop· $10–20

    A coffee shop and roaster dedicated to small batch roasting, known for its connection to cycling and active lifestyle communities and cafe culture.

    Mon–Fri
    6 AM – 4 PM
    Sat
    6 AM – 2 PM
    Sun
    6 AM – 2 PM
  • Bru's Wiffle Santa Monica in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Bru's Wiffle Santa Monica

    4.5 · 1.4k
    Brunch· $20–30

    Casual joint serving waffles in a range of breakfast & lunch dishes, including with fried chicken.

  • The Brixton in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    The Brixton

    4.5 · 811
    Gastropub· $20–30

    Stylish neighborhood gastropub for comfort food small plates, craft cocktails & beer & wines on tap.

    Mon
    12 PM – 9:30 PM
    Tue–Wed
    12 PM – 10 PM
    Thu
    12 PM – 10:30 PM
    Fri
    12 PM – 11 PM
    Sat
    9:30 AM – 11 PM
    Sun
    9:30 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Blueys Santa Monica in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Blueys Santa Monica

    4.5 · 968
    Café & Bakery· $20–30

    Aussie-inspired breakfast & lunch cafe with acai bowls, organic sandwiches, burgers, juices & more.

    Mon–Fri
    7 AM – 4 PM
    Sat
    8 AM – 4 PM
    Sun
    8 AM – 4 PM
  • Primo Passo Coffee Co in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Primo Passo Coffee Co

    4.5 · 587
    Coffee Shop· $1–10

    This casual coffeehouse features indoor & outdoor seating, plus a chic, glass-heavy space.

    Every day
    6:30 AM – 6 PM
  • Rae's Restaurant in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    Rae's Restaurant

    4.6 · 1.2k
    Diner· $10–20

    Old-school diner serving up American eats such as classic breakfasts & chicken-fried steaks.

    Every day
    6:30 AM – 2 PM
  • The Penthouse in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

    The Penthouse

    4.4 · 1.0k
    Californian· $100+

    Perched atop Huntley Hotel, this trendy American eatery is famed for cocktails & panoramic views.

    Mon–Thu
    7 AM – 11 PM
    Fri
    7 AM – 2 AM
    Sat
    7 AM – 2 AM
    Sun
    7 AM – 11 PM

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Santa Monica map

Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.

Map of Santa Monica with pinned top attractions (1 through 10)
  1. 1Museum of Flying
  2. 2Milo & Olive
  3. 3Beadahs
  4. 4Tehran Market
  5. 5Lokl Haus
  6. 610 Speed Coffee
  7. 7Bergamot Station Arts Center
  8. 8Bru's Wiffle Santa Monica
  9. 9Aero Theater
  10. 10The Brixton

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